Whykickamoocow: The secret of silly horse names

By Sheena McKenzie, CNN

Updated 1418 GMT (2218 HKT) November 14, 2012

Betting on a winner: What's in a name?7 photos

Fabulous Frankel – "Frankel was a cracking name -- it jumped out of the microphone," says racing commentator Cornelius Lysaught. The superstar colt, who recently retired after an unblemished 14-win career, scooped the main prize at the 2012 UK Horse of the Year awards.

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Betting on a winner: What's in a name?7 photos

The people's horse – A young racegoer shows her support for Australian horse Black Caviar. The owners chose the name because they thought it appeared sophisticated and stylish.

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Betting on a winner: What's in a name?7 photos

Forever Phar Lap – Phar Lap is immortalized in the Melbourne Museum. The New Zealand-born champion gelding's name has also been included in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities' protected list.

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Betting on a winner: What's in a name?7 photos

Myth of Camelot – Camelot's owners reserved the name in the hope of finding a horse that would live up the mythical Arthurian city. The British colt came close, but failed to secure the Triple Crown this year.

It's not a playground tongue twister, but a legitimate list of horse names, announced at speed by racing commentators adept at wrapping their lips around some of the most difficult -- and ridiculous -- titles on the planet.

Silly horse names are as much a part of the racing experience as ladies in hats or laying a bet. But naming a thoroughbred is also a fine art subject to strict international regulations, with the power to both sway punters and shape the horse's legacy.

"If you look at the big races, there are not many horses who win them without good names," British racing commentator Cornelius Lysaght said.

"Frankel (the superstar colt who recently retired after an unblemished 14-win career) was a cracking name. It was very distinctive, strong and easy to pronounce -- it absolutely jumped out of the microphone.

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"Added to that was the fairytale story of trainer Sir Henry Cecil naming him after trainer Bobby Frankel, who died from cancer. It created a certain mystique around the horse."

So why are many horse names downright weird? It's partly a way of getting around rules dictating that no professional thoroughbreds have the same name. That includes names which are spelled differently, but phonetically sound the same.

Names can be no longer than 18 characters, with up to seven syllables.

Each name is also protected for 20 years, and up to 35 years if the horse goes to stud after retiring.

Then there's the holy grail of names considered so important, they can never be used again.

When people say, "There'll never be another Frankel," they aren't wrong. The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities has put the champion horse on its eternally protected list, alongside such greats as Australian gelding Phar Lap and U.S. stallion Seabiscuit.

One loophole does allow horses from different countries to have the same name -- provided they include the nation's prefix at the end.

And if you want to name your horse after a person or company, you've got to have their permission. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher famously turned down a request by the late Clement Freud -- a former celebrity chef, politician and grandson of the famed psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud -- to name his horse after her. He called it Weareagrandmother instead.

There's also the minefield of names deemed too offensive for the track. Among the risque suggestions which failed to get the seal of approval from the British Horse Racing Authority's administrative arm, Weatherbys, are: Chit Hot, Harry Balzitch, Pee Ness and Hucking Fell.

My muse: A race horse called Frankel 10 photos

My muse: A race horse called Frankel10 photos

Fabulous Frankel – Artist Michael Kirkbride's painting, "Armchair Ride," was inspired by a poem about Frankel demolishing the field in last year's 2000 Guineas race.

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My muse: A race horse called Frankel10 photos

Artist in action – Kirkbride painted the piece in egg tempura; a mixture of colored pigment and egg yolk which dates back to the 1st Century.

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My muse: A race horse called Frankel10 photos

Special sporting moments – The British artist is perhaps best known for his paintings of English football scenes, including "Bar Kick," a surrealist look at sporting revelry in a pub.

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My muse: A race horse called Frankel10 photos

World's greatest race horse? – British thoroughbred Frankel remained unbeaten in 14 consecutive races. The colt won his last ever race in the Champions Stakes at Ascot.

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My muse: A race horse called Frankel10 photos

Mona Lisa's smile – Leonardo da Vinci's 16th Century masterpiece "Mona Lisa," on display in Paris's Musee du Louvre, is one of the most visited artworks in the world. The famous portrait is thought to be of Lisa Gherardini, the wife of Francesco del Giocondo.

Frida and Diego – Frida Kahlo was the wife and muse of Mexican artist Diego Rivera. An acclaimed artist in her own right, today Frida is the more renowned of the pair, with actress Salma Hayek playing her in the 2002 biographical film "Frida."

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My muse: A race horse called Frankel10 photos

Salvador Dali's darling – Spanish artist Salvador Dali's wife Gala featured in many of his works, including 1949 painting "The Madonna of Port Lligat". She was also the muse of first husband, French poet Paul Eluard.

An unlikely muse – British artist Lucien Freud caused a stir with his 1995 painting of Job Centre supervisor Sue Tilley, called "Benefits Supervisor Sleeping." The naked woman weighed around 127kg at the time.

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The legs that stopped a nation 13 photos

The legs that stopped a nation13 photos

THAT dress – British model Jean Shrimpton caused a huge uproar after arrving at the Melbourne Cup Carnival in 1965 wearing a minidress five inches above the knees, with no stockings, gloves or hat.

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The legs that stopped a nation13 photos

Swinging sixties – London designer Colin Rolfe created the short, shoulderless dress after being given a limited amount of material by textile manufactuer DuPont.

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The legs that stopped a nation13 photos

Stop press – For the first time since the inaugural race in 1861, the winning horse was knocked off newspaper front pages in favour of Shrimpton's legs.

Surreal Frankel – Frankel has even been immortalised in a surrealist painting. Artist Michael Kirkbride's "Armchair Ride" was inspired by a poem about Frankel demolishing the field in last year's 2000 Guineas race.

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The 'Brangelina' of horse racing? 10 photos

Rich pickings – Under the stewardship of jockey Queally, the four-year-old Frankel has brought home winnings of just over $4 million for his owners.

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The 'Brangelina' of horse racing? 10 photos

The man behind Frankel – Trainer Henry Cecil has put his all into schooling Frankel and even installed a closed circuit TV system in the horse's stable to ensure he is safe at night.

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The 'Brangelina' of horse racing? 10 photos

Flags and fan clubs – Both Black Caviar and Frankel have spawned a micro marketing industry. Frankel flags were the order of the day at Glorious Goodwood this year. There is also an impressive line in Frankel fleeces, mugs and hats available online.

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The 'Brangelina' of horse racing? 10 photos

A brand in her own right – The Australian High Commission in the UK had to hold a ballot for Ascot tickets, such was the demand from the expat community to see Black Caviar on British soil. She also has an online store with cufflinks selling for $42.

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The 'Brangelina' of horse racing? 10 photos

Tweeting horses – Frankel and Black Caviar even have their own Twitter handles. "Goodbye UK, and thank you for your hospitality Your Majesty," tweeted @blackcaviar2006 after coming to Britain. "I enjoyed my time in Newmarket and racing at Royal Ascot xx."

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The 'Brangelina' of horse racing? 10 photos

It's a stud's life – In Frankel's new life as a stud, the in-demand colt is expected to command a fee of $160,000 each time he sires a foal.

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The names of terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda and IRA have also been turned away, though Weatherbys racing director Paull Khan admitted suspect names had "slipped through the net" in the past.

"You've also got to take cultural differences into account. In Britain, people would generally be quite flattered to have a horse named after them, but in France it would more likely be seen as an insult," he said.

But can a horse's name affect its performance? Is it possible to have a champion horse called Loser? Lysaght believes a horse's name can be self-prophesying -- to an extent.

Glitz and glamour of the Arc 11 photos

Glitz and glamour of the Arc11 photos

French fashion – "French chic" has become synonymous with the country's powerhouse fashion labels, including Channel, Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent.

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Glitz and glamour of the Arc11 photos

Parisian chic – The fashion stakes are high at the Prix de 'Arc de Triomphe, with many race-goers opting for a classic, elegant style.

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Glitz and glamour of the Arc11 photos

Model behaviour – Spanish model Irene Salvador set the tone last year in a 1920s-inspired ensemble. The French race attracts a more demure style than the extroverted costumes seen at Britain's Royal Ascot.

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Glitz and glamour of the Arc11 photos

A royal event – Monaco's Princess Charlotte Casiraghi, the daughter of Princess Caroline, was one of the high-profile guests at last year's Arc. The prestigious race regularly attracts royalty, political leaders and business heavyweights from across Europe.

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Glitz and glamour of the Arc11 photos

Movers and shakers – France's Industry Minister Eric Besson and wife Yasmine Tordjman also brought glamor to the stands in 2011. Politicians are a common sight at Longchamp, with many owning race horses.

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Glitz and glamour of the Arc11 photos

Meanwhile, across the Channel... – Ladies at Britain's Royal Ascot tend to have a more flamboyant style than their counterparts across The Channel. "French dressing is less spectacular," says Arc spokesman Julien Pescatore.

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Glitz and glamour of the Arc11 photos

Hat's off – Some fashion racing accessories appear universal -- such as the obligatory outrageous hat. A Royal Ascot punter dons a football-themed hat at this year's races.

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Glitz and glamour of the Arc11 photos

Picture perfect – The picturesque Parisian race track is named after the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp windmill, orginally built as part of a 13th century monastery.

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Glitz and glamour of the Arc11 photos

World class – The Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club-sponsored event is the richest in Europe, with almost €8 million ($10.4 million) in prize money on offer over the weekend.

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Glitz and glamour of the Arc11 photos

No Danedream – Jockey Andrasch Starke celebrates on the podium after German horse Danedream wins the 2011 race. The defending champion was banned from traveling this year after training at the Cologne racecourse, which is under strict quarantine following the detection of swamp fever.

Danedream's biggest triumph – Andrasch Starke celebrates on Danedream after winning the 2011 Prix De L´Arc De Triomphe at Longchamps.

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Danedream: Germany's Seabiscuit3 photos

Champion jockey – Starke is looking forward to bowing out in style with Danedream as she closes out her remarkable career.

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Danedream: Germany's Seabiscuit3 photos

Wonder horse – Danedream at her home stables where she has been trained by Peter Schiergen to a string of big race wins.

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Will Camelot rise again? 9 photos

Will Camelot rise again? 9 photos

Hat-trick for Camelot? – Camelot, the horse with the mythical name, has so far lived up to his billing, winning the Epsom Derby and 2,000 Guineas. Will he win a fairytale Triple Crown at the St Leger at Doncaster on Saturday?

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Will Camelot rise again? 9 photos

Not your average Joe – Jockey Jospeh O'Brien rode the three-year-old colt to victory at the Epsom Derby. The 19-year-old Irishman has ridden Camelot in all of his starts and will play a decisive role masterminding Saturday's race.

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Will Camelot rise again? 9 photos

It's a family affair – Jospeh's father and trainer Aiden O'Brien, pictured, has admitted Camelot's bid to become the first horse since Nijinsky to win the Triple Crown will be a push for the colt.

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Will Camelot rise again? 9 photos

History lesson – Team Ballydoyle inspect the track at Melbourne Cup's Flemington Racecourse. The Ballydoyle stables in Ireland were also home to Nijinksy -- the last Triple Crown winner.

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Will Camelot rise again? 9 photos

A royal occasion – The British Royal Family watch Camelot storm to victory at the Epsom Derby. The Queen's horse, Carlton House, had been the bookmakers favorite to win, but came third.

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Will Camelot rise again? 9 photos

Irish eyes smiling – The Ballydole operation has made a clean sweep of the English Classics this season -- the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and their fillies' equivalents the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks.

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Will Camelot rise again? 9 photos

Like father, like son – Father Aiden says the tactics of the race will be left to jockey son Joseph, adding: "I presume he'll take his time on him, he usually does. That's the way he rides every race, he rides it by feel and takes it as it comes."

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Will Camelot rise again? 9 photos

Nijinsky's legacy – The last horse to win the Triple Crown was Nijinsky in 1970, seen here being led at Ascot by a different O'Brien -- legendary trainer Vincent.

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Will Camelot rise again? 9 photos

Black and white Bahram – Bahram won the Triple Crown 35 years before Nijinksy. Nowadays, very few horses even attempt the Triple Crown due to the extreme versatility required to win races ranging from one mile to one-and-three-quarter miles.

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"Camelot's owners reserved the name 10 years ago -- they thought it was a marvelous name but there was no horse that came up to scratch," Lysaght said.

"They wanted to wait and attach it to a really great horse who would live up to the mythical title. As it turned out, he didn't quite get there in the end."

British colt Camelot came close to fulfilling his promise, winning this year's 2,000 Guineas and Epsom Derby but failing to complete the English Triple Crown after finishing second at the St. Leger Stakes.